Twelve years ago today, I had my second hernia surgery. It was supposed to be the last one I'd ever need. And of course, I had complications. I wasn't released from my surgeon's care until the following July, and in between spent another few days in the hospital, and also had what should have been another surgery in my doctors office to remove dead skin. He was hacking away on me and I didn't feel a thing. He said after it was over that I should have been in the hospital for the procedure. But I digress a bit....
My hernia returned sometime in June of 2012. And it has grown since. I consulted three surgeons in Nashville before I moved to Indiana. None of them would do another surgery. I decided to try a specialist in Indianapolis a year ago. He does nothing but hernia surgerys, and is reported to be one of the best in the country. He said I would need to lose some weight because I didn't have the "skin" on the inside to pull together to hold it all in. He suggested Bariatric Surgery. His suggestion took me totally by surprise, but after much thought and discussion with my family, and my boys, they encouraged me to give it a try, My surgeons appointment was November 9th, 2022 if I remember right, and I have been doing the work to get approved for gastric surgery since.
So next week, December 6th, I am scheduled for gastric sleeve surgery. Once I lose enough weight, I will be undergoing what I hope will be my final hernia surgery.
I have hesitated saying anything on social media about it. Twenty years ago (dang has it been 20 years???) I was fairly successful living a Low Carb lifestyle. I learned how to cook healthy, colorful, tasty food, and enjoyed the process a lot! But like most of those I know who fell off the low carb bandwagon, I gained my weight back. I usually say "life got in the way" but really, I got in my own way.
So I am putting this story out there, on my blog that has been all about my fun in the kitchen, and hoping no one in my low carb world is terribly disappointed in me. I hope that my friends will be around and support me in my next chapter. I am both excited and petrified at the same time. I don't have a very good history of "easy" surgeries. And I have been very hesitant about even sharing all of this on social media, but I've told several people in my "real" life. So I feel supported, and I feel loved, and I GOT THIS!!!
Peace and love to all of you. And "God forbid" should anything happen, know each and every one of you have been an important part of a life well lived.
